Yup, just the usual late update guys, nothing new here.

About a week ago, final stage of Operation: Uproot.

Having lost all her ability to retaliate and surrounded by G&K force, Sangvis Ringleader Scarecrow after passing the torch to one of her 'partner', had detonated the explosive hidden on her body in order to avoid capture and interrogation. Thanks to a timely save further casualty was avoided and while the blast wasn't particularly powerful, Scarecrow's memory module aka the main objective of this entire operation, had gone up in smoke along with the explosion.

After all the planning, time and resources invested, only for everything to go to a complete waste, Operation: Uproot concluded in a total failure. Not only that, the enemy remained to be one step ahead of them with the coordinate that Scarecrow had decrypted.

By the time their Echelons had returned, G&K Chain of Command was already in the middle of an emergency conference to decide on the next course of action and because of that, there was no way for Tiger to meet Kryuger yet this time, he didn't seem to be as impatient for answer as before.

"That old coot is the one who requires my service, so either he be truthful for once and prove to me that this grander scheme of his is worth my time or no deal." Or so he said.

Afterward, the two returned to taking up contracts from other clients, one of which even required them to travel aboard so they had been quite busy and did not return to the underground base until a week later. Then on the day of their return, they received another call on the G&K channel. The timing couldn't be more impeccable so they both had thought that it was you-know-who. Much to their surprise, however, rather than the G&K the client is from another party associated with them, the 16Lab.

Present, G&K Forward Operating Base, District S09.

As per the client's instruction, the duo then made their way to the G&K Branch in District S09. And as it appears their arrival was expected for they were allowed to enter by the guard without needing any kind of identification.

"Not sure if they place more trust in us than they should or the security around here is just too lax." Commented Tiger. After parking the car in a corner of the courtyard, he quickly hopped down to check for bullet holes. Thanks to the reinforced armor plating, most bullets just bounced right off.

"Hey Chief, I'm gonna go and deliver this thing. A couple of things I want to ask them also."

"Sure, make it quick." With Tiger's permission, Eagle took the earpiece and the tape then headed into the main building. As he was looking around for the signpost, since the last time they were here the briefing took place in the main hangar and not the Command Center, three T-Dolls with identical appearance formed a circle and surrounded him. But Eagle was unfazed and after looking at all three of them, he turned to the one on the right and gave a light chop on her head.

"So you're going to be my guide then?" he asked. The dark purple haired girl done in twin braids, Ingram, not being able to keep a straight face anymore, burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, okay, I accept my loss. So what're you here today for, hotshot?"

"On a job. I'm sure you know her, Persica of 16Lab, she asked us to deliver these data to the nearest G&K branch."

"Of course I know her, all of us T-Doll do. Alright, since it's your win, I'll be your guide today." As Ingram spun around and Eagle followed her, so did the other two expressionless Ingrams.

"But, color me surprised, being able to discern the real from the dummies on your first try. Not many could do that even after working together for a quite some time." Walking in front with both hands behind her head, Ingram looked behind her and said.

"I'll save you the too in-depth and technical part, basically there are small details that tell apart a T-Doll's main body and dummies if you just look hard enough."

"So you're telling me you were ogling at my body?"

"Not exactly ogling but old habits die hard I guess. Keen sight is kinda in the job requirement."

Starting from the main lobby, the two had walked down the long passageway before taking a left turn and headed for the Logistics instead of the Command Post. Due to the base's current lack of a Commander, all of the base's activities and functions for the time being are handled by the Logistics Officer, also the one who they are about to meet.

"Ms Kalina, are you in?" Stopping before the Data Room, all three Ingrams knocked repeatedly on the metal door but there was no response at all. Ingram then decided to just screw it and entered. Inside, Eagle could see a long table in the middle with boxes after boxes of data file on top. Lined along the wall to the right were several machines, some dated all the way back to even the Second World War and are considered ancient or collector's item by today standard.

"Oy, Ms Kalina, you're still alive?" at the other end of the long table, Ingram was calling out to a girl with disheveled orange hair. With just a glance at the items around her and on the table, Eagle could already tell what probably transpired here. Overworking.

"There's someone here to talk Persica, so can we use the terminal?"

"What? She already called in advance, you say."

"Kay, thanks for your hard work. Do you need anything, anything at all? No? Suit yourself then. Just don't go toward the light at the end of the tunnel"

Despite being seemingly unconscious, she still managed to respond to all of Ingram's words with unintelligible grumble and Ingram, somehow, was able to interpret them into a comprehensible language. Seriously, the conversation between the two of them just now totally lost him.

"Well, I'll be going now. See you around, hotshot." Waving goodbye, Ingram exited the room, leaving Eagle and the unconscious Kalina behind. As he turned on the monitor, the comm line with 16Lab was immediately connected and just a few seconds later, Persica had already appeared on the screen.

"Ah, Mr Eagle. As expected of Mr Kryuger's old acquaintance, you two sure are punctual. So, the data?"

"All here. There were some difficulties with retrieving the last piece, a Sangvis Ringleader, but one way or another we managed to get away."

"I see…so they're already this close to her…" Persica mumbled looking somewhat worried, or that's probably just her being sleep-deprived.

"As I thought, it's not just the data that the Sangvis was after, is it? The Ringleader also mentioned a name. M4A1, ring any bell?" upon hearing the name that was supposed to be classified information, Persica's eyes widened slightly. After a brief moment of silence and downing her cup of coffee, she spoke up.

"Mr Eagle, can you do me a favor and play the tape? And don't worry about the whole 'prying too deep', for this is related to my next request." Eagle was just about to turn around and leave, but then had no choice but to stay. He inserted the tape and as the recording began playing, a girl with long black hair, a peculiar green streak on her sidelock appeared on the screen.

"Then let's quickly capture those radar stations since we're engaging in night battle, otherwise we won't even have vision of the area."

"I do not know how much longer can I keep this up. I have to get in touch with someone from Griffin as soon as possible."

End of recording.

The recording was short, very short, and there was no intricately hidden message whatsoever. But that is because whatever essential information was carved on the surface of the tape instead. A series of numbers, a coordinate.

If it wasn't them but instead the Sangvis who got to the data first, then this would be the same as asking to get caught, they would know of her location and immediately give chase. A high risk gamble with no guarantee of a reward, yet she still decided to take it anyway. Knowing the importance of her own self and by using that as the bargaining chip, she had opened up at least one possible future where she will have the last laugh.

"This girl…that is some really risky maneuvers that she's trying to pull off." Thought Eagle.

"So this is why you asked me for their contact information the other day." A female voice then joined in on their conversation. A second channel was connected to theirs and on the screen, appeared Helian.

"Persica, just because they're mercenary doesn't mean you can just push all the meticulous tasks like running errand or finding your beakers on them." Helian reprimanded.

"Well, it's because they're Mr Kryuger's acquaintance that I can have a peace of mind entrusting the task to them."

"Anyway, was your mission accomplished?"

"Don't worry. Now that I've got the data, the results will be out in a moment."

"Then please make haste. We're running out of time as you well know."

"I know. Then Mr Eagle, for my last request, that girl, M4A1, please bring her home safely. Thank you and Mr Boss too. Next time, I'll treat you two to some coffee." Persica then terminated the call. With her gone, Helian heaved a long sigh before turning to Eagle.

"Unless you fancy drinking dirty water used for doing the dishes while sitting in the freezer, I'd suggest you forget about it."

"Anyway, let's get back on track. Since her existence is already known to you thanks to Persica, I see no point in withholding information so I'll be frank." The recording on the monitor screen was then replaced with a more detail profile of the girl in the recording.

"This is M4A1, a T-Doll part of the 'Anti-Rain' Tactical Unit under G&K. She has been collecting some research data under the commission of Persica. According to our sources, she's carrying with her extremely important confidential intel, the kind that pose a threat to the Sangvis which is also the cause behind their increased invasion on District S09."

"But that still doesn't explain why they'd want to capture her alive. Considering the fact that the Sangvis sees G&K T-Dolls as no more than 'obsolete scrap', the normal course of action would be to just destroy her with superior number then rip the Core out."

"That is because even among the military grade T-Dolls of G&K, the Anti-Rain Unit consists of the most elite and their Neural Cloud is unique, as in they have attained nigh-perfect free will." Upon hearing that, Eagle raised an eyebrow.

"So what you're saying is, a 'doll'' that is the 'master' of its own 'self'?"

A Doll, civilian or military model, or the most common type nowadays, civilian model that received hardware upgrade, cannot act without directives assigned by human for that is the reason they were created and how they were hardcoded, to serve the recuperating human race. Even for civilian Dolls who partake in everyday labors, while they can express emotion their ability to act and make their own judgement is still very limited. So the fact that there exists not one but a few T-Dolls who possessed free will identical to a human being was quite the shocking news.

"That is correct. Now, onto the main topic. We believe that M4A1 is still stuck inside District S09 and is currently under the Sangvis's heavy assault, so we must bring her to safety with all haste. However, due to certain agreements, we cannot openly interfere with the situation."

"So after some discussions, Mr Kryuger had decided to entrust this mission to you two. And although we cannot directly interfere, we can still lend you our assistance. We want your unit to lead three Echelons, infiltrate Sector T6 of District S09, conduct an immediate search and secure M4A1 before the Sangvis does. Be advised, leading the assault force is a Ringleader, Model SP 524, commonly known as 'Executioner'."

"Yeah, no need to tell me that. Already got some firsthand experience with that blade of her. But, isn't this whole lending your troops to us a little too sudden?"

"While it's true that even with just the two of you, you'd still be able to figure something out and finish the job splendidly and your skill certainly does back that up. However, M4A1 is a target too valuable for us G&K to lose, so the High Command all agreed to not take any chance with this mission." On her side, Helian then turned on the profiles of fifteen T-Dolls currently stationing at this base, all of which the duo had met during the last operation.

"These will be your Echelons for this mission. I'll give the order to prepare for sortie immediately. And one more thing, since this is a high-risk mission, beside your usual payment Mr Kryuger had decided to throw in a little extra. After this mission is done, he will answer any and all inquiry that you may have. Then I await your success and goodbye."

After Helian had terminated her call, Eagle then tapped his index finger twice on the earpiece and spoke.

"You got all that, Chief?"

"Loud and clear." And from the other side of the line, Tiger responded

'Make it quick' aka 'contact immediately should there be any delay'. Ever since the moment Persica asked him to play the tape, Eagle had quickly switched his earpiece to recording mode without anyone noticing.

"So, what do you think, about that 'additional payment'? It's still a job so obviously we have to do it, but should we take the bait?"

"Although it's not from him personally, it merits some consideration. Going the length to achieve what he wants, that just the kind of man he is after all. So for this time at least, we can hold him onto his words."

"Then I guess it's time to fulfill our end of the bargain then."

About half an hour later, after wrapping up all the necessary preparations on their end the duo had arrived at the heliport to meet with the Echelons that they will be leading.

"Attention!" seeing the two approaching silhouettes, one of the T-Dolls then shouted as all fifteen of them orderly formed three lines of five. Stepping onto the elevated platform, Tiger took a good look at all of them before speaking up.

"Greeting, and at ease to you all. I know this is kind out of the blue, but for this mission that you are about to carry out, I'll be the one in charge. Looking forward to working with you ladies, then."

"Sir!"

"Well, enough with the pleasantries! We're on the clock here so let's move out, people!"

As the three choppers and one transport enroute for Sector T6 of District S09, boarding on one of them Tiger began explaining the attack plan.

"Listen up, Sector T6 is an old settlement located on top of a hill with three accessible routes. With their higher ground advantage, the Sangvis will most likely keep us locked in a long range engagement where they will have the upper hand."

"According to intel, the Ringleader this time is called Executioner, a combat model meaning she cannot command many troops simultaneously nor devise elaborate tactics like Scarecrow, which makes this much easier for us. So here's the plan."

"MG3, StG44, FF FNC, G36 and M14 will be Echelon 1 and you're on me. We will move in from the front and draw the enemy's attention. Ingram, Skorpion, MP5, Sten Mk II, P7 of Echelon 2 and Springfield, Mosin-Nagant, FN-49, SAA, M1895 of Echelon 3, advance from the north then flank them and sweep down south. After rendezvousing, we storm the Command Post. Are we clear?"

"Crystal clear, sir!"

Shortly after that, the four choppers have reached their destination and landed down on the field at the foot of the hill. From the cargo bay of the transport chopper, several boxes were unloaded and as the T-Dolls opened them, stored inside was their Dummies with two for each T-Doll. And right on time, Eagle rendezvous with them after dropping by the underground base to grab some gears.

"Alright, move out!"

Commence, Operation: Termination.

Settlement Area, northern entrance.

While Echelon 1 was causing a ruckus at the front and drawing the enemy's attention, Echelon 2 and 3 had arrived at the northern entrance. This entrance which forked into two routes, with one leads into the settlement and the other straight to the Sangvis's Command Post. Since taking either would be too obvious, Echelon 2 with the excellent mobility of Submachinegun and Handgun decided to enter by scaling the cliff instead.

Just as Tiger said, Executioner being a combat model meaning her modules are more suitable for scouting and active combat instead of commanding large troops, which also means that in order to deal with a multi-directional assault she needs a plan that doesn't require her constant supervision. In other word, setting up ambush.

Seeing the enemy's rather unorthodox approach, the Sangvis's ambush troops were thrown into quite a disarray before being able to reposition. Using that chance Echelon 2 had…

"We're right here, you Sangvis scums! Come and get some!" shouted Skorpion after throwing an incendiary grenade into an ambush nest.

…made a beeline through the settlement at full speed while making as much noise as possible. The reason? Compare to the Sangvis, their Echelon is severely outmatched in the firepower department and not to mention number advantage. So instead, they will become the bait for the big fish, luring the enemy out of their hiding spot and softening them down for those with adequate firepower to deal with.

Using the plethora of cars' wreck scattered all over the place as cover and their own mobility, Echelon 2 had no problem navigating on the street despite being in the center of a bullet storm. After a while with not even a single hit marker, the Sangvis then switched tactic and sent a Prowler unit to stop their target from advancing with another Ripper unit on the pursue from behind.

"MP5!"

"I know!" hearing her cue, MP5 then took point and from her body, generated an energy field that deflected every single shot coming her way. Such ability while differ between each, is unique only to the T-Dolls of G&K. And while it is indeed powerful, the module in charge of such function can only maintain the energy field for 3 seconds best before overheating. But that was more than enough.

Before long, the Prowlers were already taken care of as Ingram threw down a smoke grenade to shake of the pursuers. The Ripper unit from behind then sped up and ran straight into the smoke only to realize a tad bit too late the real purpose behind the smoke was to hide two grenades dropped near the Prowler's wrecks.

A few minutes later, with as much Sangvis as it can be on their tail, they have reached the designated location, an open area just outside the settlement. Seeing a faint reflection of the scope up on the tree, Ingram signaled for them to split up and hide behind the nearby buildings.

"Ready! Fire!" On Springfield's command, Echelon 3 hiding in the forest near the path leading to the Command Post simultaneously opened fire. The sound of their rifle reverberated in the air like thunder, bringing pain and instilling fear to those unlucky enough to be on the receiving end.

With all of them perfectly lined up, each kill was fast and precise, and the few remaining stragglers were then cleaned up by Echelon 2.

Northern district, status: hostility neutralized.

Settlement Area, front entrance.

As had been planned beforehand, by advancing in from the front Echelon 1 had gathered all the enemy's attention on them, enabling those up north to proceed smoothly. And as expected, the moment they got into vision range the Sangvis troops guarding near the ledge immediately opened fire on them.

With his shield that is impervious to anything short of an autocannon firing high-caliber AP round, by extending it outward Tiger had transformed it into a barricade as they hunkered down and took on an entire battalion of Sangvis troops. And since his shotgun even with slug shot would be useless here, he had switched to something that can deliver the 'devastating' factor even from afar. The Kord 6P50-2 Heavy Machinegun.

"M14, two snipers, 1 o'clock! FNC, G36, Scouts approaching, on our 9! StG, MG3, focus fire, straight ahead!"

Ever since the firefight broke out, it's been more than 20 minutes and while they're certainly matching the Sangvis blow for blow even with inferior number, their ammunitions are running low. But, if everything went according to plan, they won't have to maintain this deadlock much longer.

"Hey Chief, everything's in position and awaiting your call."

"Do it. All unit, reload! On the signal we push and coordinate our attack with Echelon 2 and 3!"

On Tiger's signal, several mortar strikes hailed down on the Sangvis near the ledge, taking them all out in one fell swoop and throwing the rest into chaos. Using that chance, Echelon then quickly pushed up the hill, eliminating any stragglers and rendezvous with Echelon 2 and 3. Only a few dozen left before the Command Post is in sight.

On a chopper circling around the area, Eagle who has been providing intel to the ground troops as the battle unfolded looked through his scope to survey the surrounding areas. For if this is anything like last time, which possibility he can't completely dismiss, then the Sangvis would still have some troops in reserve somewhere. And sure enough, when he aimed his scope toward the patch of land on the other side of the river, there was a literal swarm of Dinergates, more than even his goggles can count.

"Bad news, Chief. We got an entire swarm of Dinergates fast approaching on our position like it's the freaking locust plague."

"Drop the supply down and have everyone hold position. You take care of things here, I'm going on ahead."

"Roger that."

Town plaza.

Inside the biggest building facing the plaza, two figures came face-to-face with their guns readied and their fingers itchy to pull the trigger. On one side, the Sangvis Ringleader, Executioner. And on the other, G&K Elite T-Doll, M4A1.

"Is something wrong, Executioner? An unexpected situation has arisen, has it not?" M4A1 asked with a taunting tone after hearing all the commotions outside. Apparent from her nearly wrecked left arm and visible damage all over her body, the two must have had quite an intense battle prior to this.

"How…How come Griffin T-Dolls attacked my Command Post before HQ gave the orders…?" Executioner responded, flabbergasted at the amount of information that is flooding into her CPU.

"That is because a human commander is capable of mobilizing our troops independently."

"So you have been waiting for this all along?"

"It was a gamble. I have no choice but to have faith in them. Now, let's us discuss your ending."

"Ending? You seriously think this is the end-"

Just as Executioner was about to swing her giant blade, from the other side of the wall a machinegun barrage interrupted their conversation and forced her to dodge backward. Then like an unstoppable juggernaut, Tiger burst through the wall toward Executioner and bashed his shield at her, to which she blocked with her blade.

"Oh? What do we have here? Aren't you a friend with that little pest?" Executioner asked, reminded of her earlier encounter with Eagle but Tiger did not respond and the two simply backed away from each other. As she did so, Executioner noticed her own trail from the charge just now. She was able to stop him, but he was able to push her back quite a distance. To be able to overpower a combat model Ringleader with sheer brute force, such thought amused her greatly as she raised up her blade.

"Hehehe, it's been a while since I've had such an interesting opponent. Come, let me enjoy some more of this!" When Executioner provoked him, Tiger glanced at his machinegun to check for its remaining ammo then dropped it on the ground. A close-quarter battle it is, then. For better ease of movement, Tiger split his shield into two and took only one half of it. Then from a hidden storage at the bottom, he pulled out a tomahawk with a curved handle and lowered his stance.

"I'll see to it, your last struggle." With those words that are like a requiem for his enemy, Tiger dashed forward and swung his tomahawk down.

A frontal attack, Executioner brought her blade up intending to parry it, but when the two weapons clashed the force behind it was so great that her feet sunk slightly into the ground. Tightening her grip on the blade, Executioner knocked the tomahawk away then quickly brought up her handgun and fired three consecutive shots.

With lightning reflex, Tiger turned his upper body to the side and evaded the bullet. After only two attacks, Executioner could already tell that she's losing out in strength and decided to switch tactic. She charged up the modules in her legs and bolted forward as fast as a flash of lightning.

Being caught by surprise, Tiger got knocked away quite a distance despite having blocked the attack with his shield. Executioner repeated the same attack a few more times, dashing from one side of the room to the other. Thanks to his visor, after the third and fourth time he got the timing down.

The sixth time, when Executioner dashed at him from behind, Tiger managed to react in time but the speed of his attack was still slower. With her own strength and the speed of her attack combined, Executioner simulated that should they clashed this time, it will be her win. Well, 'should'.

When Tiger turned around and swung at Executioner, what he held in his right hand was instead the shield. Colliding with the giant blade, the impact of their clash caused the entire building to tremble. As a result, a huge slash was left across the metal surface whereas Executioner's blade started cracking up and shattered into pieces.

"Where…where is his tomahawk…?!"

As she was frantically looking, Tiger reached back his mechanical arm with the tomahawk attached to the side. A spring mechanism sprung it into his arm and with that momentum, he delivered a devastating strike, cutting Executioner's right arm clean off. Then as she was about to retaliate with her handgun, Tiger quickly ducked down, creating a clear line of sight for M4A1 in the back to take the shot.

With a single barrage, not only the handgun but M4A1 had also stripped Executioner off her mobility by shooting her legs module.

Nothing left to fight with, and with no means to escape, nothing else she could do but lay on the ground powerlessly, the Sangvis Ringleader couldn't help but let out a laugh of mockery, both at herself and her enemy.

"Just exactly as she said, huh. You Griffin T-Dolls are nothing but tool that knows only to bow under human will. How pathetic."

"Does it really matter? After all, it was with human and those you considered 'obsolete trash' combined effort that you were defeated." Walking up to Executioner, M4A1 spoke up.

"Whatever. Just remember that, even if you hide among Griffin troops, we have other ways to get to you."

"What?"

"Don't forget. You still have three companions stranded on the battlefield…And we both know they make excellent bargaining chips…"

"…" without saying a single word, M4A1's expression turned into one of rage and fury as she pulled the trigger and blew Executioner's head to smithereens.

"You should have not brought them up, Sangvis scum."

"Hehehe…you know, we won't…disappear…so easily…" leaving behind those words, Executioner's system and modules were finally offline for good. After confirming that she is no longer a threat, the two lowered their weapon as M4A1 turned to Tiger.

"Um…thank you, for coming to my aid. Allow me to properly introduce myself. T-Doll of the Anti-Rain Tactical unit under G&K, designation M4A1. Due to various reason, I am under Sangvis Ferri pursuit."

"Are you…the commander that Ms Persica mentioned? I believe the password was…'sugar cubes'. Yes, 'sugar cubes'." She asked, her voice full of expectation.

"…"

"The password is correct but…you got the wrong person. We're just a couple of mercenaries, hired to do some cleaning up."

Following the defeat of Executioner, the remaining Sangvis troops also ceased any and all retaliation. Thanks to that, the extraction of M4A1 went smoothly and she was immediately transported back to the G&K FOB in District S09 for repair about an hour after that. Operation: Termination ended satisfactorily.

Returning to the base, the mercenary duo quickly found themselves in the Data Room, with a secured line already connected to Kryuger.

"Well, we fulfilled our end of the bargain and it's time you do too with yours. And remember, I won't take any vague shit for an answer." Giving a reminder right off the bat, the two stood before the monitor screen as Kryuger closed his eyes as if to collect his thought before talking.

"To counter the threat and danger that the Sangvis Ferri poses, that is the G&K's first and foremost mission. However, we lack the manpower to effectively pull this off…That's what you two have already know."

"The real reason behind your long-term contract as adjutant and combat advisor is…to prepare for war."

"Even with all our major operations and offensive movements, it still wouldn't be wrong to say we are currently in a defensive position against the Sangvis. With each passing day, the danger that they pose looms ever closer and at this point we can no longer afford to play the waiting game."

"So, before everything reaches the point of no return, we're going to bring the fight to them. Fight fire with fire, to stop a war we're going to start one of our own. And who's better to do that than those who had fought in one and live to tell the tales?"

"We're remnants of war, Kryuger, you of all people should know best. It has never been our place to change the world or saving it for that matter, all we do is pull the trigger. And now you're telling me you want to be the hero and rid the world of a pandemic? Laughable."

"Be that as it may sound, it's still something and definitely better than nothing, is it not? After all, that's the saying you're always so proud of."

"He kinda got you there, Chief."

Their conversation went on for about five more minutes, and even if only slightly, the atmosphere wasn't as tense as when it started. Finally, both parties came to a compromise.

"Fine then. For now I'll play along with this to-be heroic tale of yours. Make no mistake, however, it's only so that good troops won't have to die a senseless death on your order anymore."

"Of course, you're free to do it as you see fit."

"And one more condition."

"Which is?"

"Even when hired as adjutant and combat advisor, we're still mercenary. So to avoid any inconveniences in the future, I'll be choosing my own commander."

"Hoh? Now isn't this a rare occasion? Do you already have a name in mind?" when Kryuger asked, Tiger glanced over to Eagle as he switched the screen to the camera in the maintenance bay, where a certain rescued T-Doll was being repaired.

Chapter 5: Contract established.